Couples' Experience of the Decision-Making Process in Breast Reconstruction After Breast Cancer: A Lexical Analysis of Their Discourse

Background One in 3 women with breast cancer will have a mastectomy and face the decision of whether to have breast reconstruction (BR). This decision is shared by the women and their physician, as well as discussed with her partner. Objective This study aimed to understand the decision-making process of BR through a lexical analysis of the women and their partners' discourse. A secondary aim was to identify the differences between the couples when the woman had, or did not have, BR. Methods We conducted semistructured interviews with 9 women, and their partners, who underwent a mastectomy after a first episode of breast cancer. A lexical analysis using IRaMuTeQ software was carried out. Re…

Patient satisfaction with a rapid diagnosis of suspicious breast lesions: Association with distress and anxiety

Few studies have explored with standard measures patient satisfaction with care at the time of the diagnosis through rapid diagnostic pathways. This study aimed to assess satisfaction levels at the time of the diagnosis in a One-Stop Breast Unit and to examine associations with psychological states. An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted at a single center's One-Stop Breast Unit, to assess patient satisfaction regarding several aspects of the Unit. Two days after the diagnosis, 113 participants completed self-reported questionnaires evaluating satisfaction (Out-Patsat35), anxiety (State Anxiety Inventory), and psychological distress (Distress Thermometer). Overall, patients were …

Understanding grief in children who have lost a parent with cancer: How do they give meaning to this experience? Results of an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Though the adjustment of bereaved children is increasingly investigated through quantitative studies, their intimate representations regarding the loss of their parent remain unknown. This qualitative study aims at exploring how they give meaning to this experience. Nondirective interviews with bereaved children were conducted and submitted to an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Fourteen children (8 boys, 6 girls, mean age = 8.5 years) were recruited. Seven major themes depicting their grief experience were identified. The importance of the surviving parent is critically highlighted. Findings suggest that the remaining parent could become a fundamental actor in providing grief supp…

The Quality of Life of Children with Advanced Cancer: The Perspective of Children and Parents.

The decision-making process for breast reconstruction after cancer surgery: Representations of heterosexual couples in long-standing relationships

Objectives Most people deal with intrusive life events such as cancer and the care trajectory together with their intimate partners. To our knowledge, no research has studied the involvement of the partner in the decision-making process regarding breast reconstruction (BR) after cancer. This study aimed to gain a better understanding of the couples’ decision-making process for BR in the cancer context and particularly to investigate the partners’ involvement in this process. Method Eighteen participants (nine women who underwent a mastectomy following a first breast cancer and their intimate partners) took part in this study. We conducted semidirective interviews, and a general inductive ap…